New Horizons; Go for Launch, set for 1:08 p.m. EST.

The Atlas V and its Centaur upper stage are being loaded with liquid oxygen in preparation for launch, set for 1:08 p.m. EST. In contrast to the last couple of days, the countdown is proceeding smoothly, and no issues are in work. The weather is cooperating nicely, and the Atlas V rocket and New Horizons spacecraft are in good shape.

UPDATE:New Launch Time!
The earliest possible launch time is 2:00 p.m. EST due to the low cloud ceiling at the launch site.

As the first spacecraft to visit Pluto and its moon Charon, New Horizons looks to unlock one of the solar system’s last, great planetary secrets. After launch, the New Horizons spacecraft will cross the entire span of the solar system and conduct flyby studies of Pluto and Charon (The only satellite of Pluto) in 2015. The seven science instruments on the piano-sized probe will shed light on the bodies’ surface properties, geology, interior makeup and atmospheres.